POV: Ayla

The hall is full in a way the rehearsal never was.

Banners from three territories hang along the stone. Northern representatives sit where old rivalry used to place them on the opposite side of the floor. Coastal and eastern valley leads occupy the same section without the careful distance of the first joint meetings. The compound’s own people fill the remaining seats. No one is here for a private acknowledgment. This is the public record.

I walk the center aisle with Caius on my right, Ryker on my left, and Zane half a step behind. The bond is steady and bright. Ryker’s wound is still healing under the...